15 teachers, trainees fall ill after consuming milk from rabies-infected cow in Solan
Photo used for indicative purpose only
Shimla, Dec 11,
Fifteen teachers and B.Ed. trainees at Government Senior Secondary School, Kothi Deora in Solan district fell ill this week after reportedly consuming milk from a cow later found to be infected with rabies. All affected individuals were admitted to the Regional Hospital, Solan, where doctors administered intra-dermal anti-rabies injections following laboratory examinations. They were discharged after treatment.
According to officials, the illness was traced back to milk consumed a few days earlier. The cow that supplied the milk—brought from the Jaunaji area—had allegedly been bitten by a rabid dog, leading to the infection. Fortunately, hospital authorities confirmed that no schoolchildren consumed the contaminated milk.
Medical Superintendent of the Regional Hospital, Dr. Rakesh Panwar, said that about 15 individuals arrived at the hospital between Tuesday and Wednesday with symptoms consistent with exposure to an infected animal product. “They were given intra-dermal injections. After that, none of the persons visited again with similar symptoms. All required precautionary measures were taken,” he said.
Initially, doctors were unsure how so many people had fallen ill simultaneously until inquiries revealed the cow’s behaviour had turned erratic, prompting suspicion of rabies. Once the link was established, the hospital and education department moved quickly to ensure all potentially exposed individuals were vaccinated.
Deputy Director of Higher Education, Solan, Gopal Chauhan, confirmed that the affected teachers and trainees were advised to undergo anti-rabies treatment. “Some teachers and B.Ed. trainees at Kothi Deora School consumed milk from an infected cow and were asked to take anti-rabies treatment as a precaution,” he said.
Authorities have advised the school management and local suppliers to ensure immediate verification of livestock health, especially where milk is sourced from individual households. The incident has also raised concern over rural awareness regarding rabies transmission—an area health officials say requires greater community sensitisation to prevent recurrence.
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